Grants
Understanding and Mitigating Bias of AI-based Natural Disaster Assessment Models for Rescue Coordination and Resiliency
Summary: Artificial Intelligence is increasingly being used in automated disaster event detection and assessment to enhance situational awareness, relief, rescue coordination, and risk assessment for resilience and disaster preparedness. Our project aims to systematically examine and mitigate the bias of data-driven AI models/ tools for natural-disaster assessment.
Grant Period: 2023 - 2024
Amount: $49,983
PI: Ajita Rattani.
Co-PIs: Mara Alagic, Zelalem Demissie, Rajiv Bagai, Atri Dutta.
Enhancing Disaster Literacy of Kansas Communities Through Incorporation of NASA-Relevant Materials in Middle School Curriculum
Summary: A 5-day workshop is proposed for middle school teachers to create badge lessons for implementation in their classroom. The lessons will leverage existing NASA materials related to natural hazards and will focus on data analysis to understand the preparedness of at-risk communities. While covering applicable information, tools, and skills related to natural hazards in the morning sessions, the afternoon ones will enable participation in group collaborations to design related classrooms activities. The teachers’ engagement in the creation of the badges and the extent of participation of students in the core badges will be used in evaluation of the program. A focus on recruitment of teachers will be placed on those from schools that serve underrepresented students in STEM and that serve areas at risk from natural hazards. Both Title I schools in urban areas and small schools in rural areas will be solicited for the workshop.
Grant Period: 10/2022 - 08/2023
Amount: $50K + $26K Cost Match
PI: Rajiv Bagai.
Co-PIs: Maria Sclafani, Zelalem Demissie, Aaron Bowen, Atri Dutta.
Data-enabled Disaster Resilience Center
Summary: The Disaster Resilience Analytics Center will leverage the university’s expertise in artificial intelligence, deep learning and multiple modes of big data to better predict natural and human-made disasters and improve preparedness by creating a new generation of digital platforms and support services.
Grant Period: 2020 - 2023
Amount: $300K
PI: Dukka K.C.
Co-PIs: Glyn Rimmington, Chase Billingham, Terrance Figy, Mara Alagic, Atul Rai, Nathan Filbert, Ajita Rattani, Kaushik Sinha, Rajiv Bagai, Atri Dutta, Zelalem Dimissie, Meghann Kuhlmann, Aaron Bowen, Maria Sclafani, Ethan Lindsay, Susan Matveyeva.
Continuous Monitoring of Hurricanes using Rain CubeSats
Summary: The proposed research is to design a hybrid constellation in which a cluster of RaInCubes fly in formation and a traditional constellation of such formation units is designed. The coverage angle of the formation units is a function of time that depends on the relative orbits of the formation. Therefore, the coverage area of the constellation is not constant and will be designed to be maximum over the Atlantic, West Pacific regions and United States of America. This hybrid constellation can bring in the ability to perform the earth science missions on a low-cost, quick turnaround platform. The data from the hybrid constellation can improve the capabilities of the NOAA’s advanced hurricane forecast models. The accurate forecast of the hurricane can help the first responders to manage resources and assist the government in developing environmental policies.
Grant Period: 9/1/2019 - 2/15/2023
Amount: $135K
PI: Atri Dutta.
FI: Pardhasai Chadalavada.